Surface cleaning and shampooing machine



JEAN. M, Wfi E. BERBERIAN fi fi SURFACE CLEANING AND SHAMPOOING MACHINEFiled Nov. 24, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. v EDWARD BERBERIANATTORNEY Hana M, 9

53% E. BERBERIAN SURFACE CLEANING AND SHAMPOOING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24,1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 301 INVENTOR. i; EDWARDBERBERIAN 1137 M i315 12121% M ATTORNEY Patented .lan. Bl, 1950 .nnneo sures PATENT orries SURFACE@LEANING AND SHAMPOOING *MACHINE 2 .Claims.

"This invention relates to improvements .in suriface cleaning andshampooing machinesrsuch as shown. and described "zinzmyearlierz'application ltserial 'Number.633,162,;fi1ed December "6, 1945.

In accordance zwithithe invention of anyzsaid 1 searlienapplication, azpair rofsqueegee elements, each composed .of a substantially .arcuateperirmetric (portion and a radial portion, are .so mounted upon thebottom surface of a rotatable head that thearcuate perimetriczportionsof the two :members extend continuously around the perimeterof the headtoprevent -the escapeoutwardly of cleaning liquid fed to a surface to becleaned below and within the :perimeter of the head,andeach of saidpair:of squeegee elements hasa radial portion continuous with andextending inwardly-from its perimetric portion and ter minating adjacentto the axis of the head so as "to engage'and lead spent cleaning fluid,vfedas above stated, towardthe center of the head where asuction pipe islocated for the purposeof sucking the same :by vacuum upwardly throughthe head into a tank. All said squeegee portions have a rubbing contactwith the surface to bo-cleaned and each radial portion is provided witha'concave section facing in the'directionof rotation for the purpose ofguiding such spent liquid-to the center, as aforesaid. Said radialsqueegee portions are positioned to provide boundaries of areas a ofvthecircular head 'inwhich scrubbing brushes are mounted, so that uponrotation'of the head, the brushes will scrub-the surface beneath saidhead with said cleaning liquid fed as aforesaid, the perimetric squeegeeportions will prevent the .cleaningliquid from moving centrifugallyduring rotation ofthehead and escapingoutwardly from beneath saidheadand the radial portions will guide the liquid toward the center asaforesaid. My said application also discloses a vacuum hose or pipe,which extends from a suitable vacuum tank to the forward end of themachine, with an axially-located portion passing through the headand'havin an entrance-opening centrally located belowthe under surfaceof the head to suck up spent liquid which is then conducted to saidvacuum tank.

Claims are being'made in said copending application for the abovesubject-matter, particularly covering arotatable head having a squeegeeprovided with a perimetric portion and a radial portion with concavesections facing in the direction of rotation and extending outwardlyfrom the axis of the head in the direction of rotation to ahead-encircling 'perimetric portion to guide and deflect cleaningmaterial used on the surface of a rug to a collection place beneath thebottom surface of the head, together with means for removing thematerial at'the axis, and-being claimed 7 in my said-"copendingapplicatiomare not broadly claimed herein. Oneofthe objectsof 'mypresent sinventionlisto:provideziniarmachine of thezcharit ,acterxspecifiedsia lnovelziand improved -:sq11eegee iguidingeelementrihavingan'gui'ding :portion :for spentmr used rcleaning :liquid :that :will:greatly facilitate the guided movement of such spent elinnidtowardandwto'thecenter nf the head, will reduce the resistance thereofagainstsuchzmove- :ment to a removal :point-zat the .center or .aXis ofthe head, and willsena'ble :aamore uniform. and eificien't distribution'of ithe.1brushes by '.and :through which :partxof .the cleaningmaterial-1MB be carried in thescruhbingroperationthereof, and will1causesuch brushes more fully .:to cooperate :with the squeegeein :theguiding and carrying *toward :the axis. of the :apparatus .of'thex'spent liquidscleaning' material.

Another object :of myxzpresent inventionl is to lE-TGCIHCE the .cost ofihehead by -;a Ysimplifying arrangement of Ltheiliquid guidingsqueegeeportion and-the.scrubbingebrushesin relationathereto. stilliianother:object of my :invention "is ito :pronvideta head-constructi'on'in'which'headamounting and motion transmission mechanism is greatly.simplifiedtzand zlightened anditthe platform andisprocket-andechainxarrangement ofumy I aformer machineare eliminated.

eStill another- :object :o'fi my iin-vention i is in a "device of thecharacter specified toprovide an improved .gear arrangement andmechanism for itransmittingi m'otion' from the motor. to :the: revolvinghead.

Another object'cofnmy invention is .in .adevice of the character Y,specified: to" provide a vacuum pipe which is necessarily located at theaxis of theihead for sucking iup spent cleaning materials, to providein' fixedposition on the head adriven Bing-gear 1 coaxial with andsurroundin said pipe, and to utilize :9, supporting :casing having. a:motor .:mounted therein with its shaft arranged coaxially of :said pipe:to provide a centrally-located drive gear :on 'the motor-shaft andtransmission gears mounted-upon shafts positioned-in said frame radiallyof said axis and adapted to rotate said ring geancand 'lpreferablyutilize a plurality of radially-positionedshafts-andtransmission gears to drive said driven 'ring gearand head, thuseliminating :the platform 1 and the sprocket-andchain arrangements of myform'er construction and providing asymmetrical construc'tion andarrangement :or partsin which weight is uni- -=form'ly' distributed.

Still another object of :my invention is to provide-a construction 'inwhich the vacuum hose will-be ex'tended from the same end of the machine:asthe operating-handle SOJaS to avoid obstructions-eon the outer edgeof the machine and to permit the-' head'to be =moved-closer to walls,partitionsand-=other similar movementlimiting obstructions.

"With these and other'objects in viewythe invention comprises thecombination of members and arrangement of parts so combined as to co-actand cooperate with each other in the performance of the functions andthe accomplishment of the results herein contemplated, and comprises inone of its adaptations the species or preferred form illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section ofthe top portion of the vacuum tank shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a view, partly broken away, showing in vertical sectionsubstantially through the center of my revolving head with squeegee andbrushes and also the mounting frame and adjacent parts.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 66 of Fig. 4, looking in thedirection of the arrow; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of an edge portion ofthe revolving head with a modified form of squeegee.

In accordance with my present invention, I utilize a circular head andprovide on the bottom surface thereof a squeegee element composed of acircular perimetric portion extending completely and continuously aroundthe perimeter of the head and an inwardly-directed liquid guidingportion of general spiral conformation and connected at its outer end tothe perimetric por- I tion, having its concave face extending in thedirection of rotation and being disposed to extend in a spiral pathcompletely around the axis of the head, and to terminate at said axis inadjacency toa suction tube arranged coaxially wtih said head. Saidinwardly-directed portion of the squeegee provides an area between theouter surface thereof and the perimetric portion and also betweeninwardly disposed surfaces of itself an area of substantially spiralconformation within which said brush is located.

Referring now to these drawings, which illustrate preferred embodimentsof my invention, Iil indicates a circular head which is mounted in apartly cylindrical and partly frusto-conical gearenclosing casing II torevolve beneath said casing, which is preferably composed of cast metal,and supports at its axis a vertical section l2 of a vacuum pipe 2 forsucking up spent cleaning material which is guided to the axis of thehead ii: by a squeegee member [3 in cooperation with brushes l4 mountedon the under surface of the head IE].

In my instant invention, the head has a driven ring-gear i5 fixedlymounted on an integral upwardly-extending hub lil which rotates on thevacuum pipe section 2 as a fixed shaft. Said driven gear i 5 is rotatedfrom a drive gear 16 mounted on motor shaft I! of motor H8. The motorand shaft are mounted endwise with the shaft in vertical position in anaxially-disposed mounting aperture 19 in the gear-enclosing casingmember il. As illustrated, transmission shafts 2G and 2i are supportedand mounted in said gear casing l l in positions radially of andparallel to said axis; these shafts are provided with transmission gears2222 and 23-43 arranged in pairs, and the members of each pair of gearsmesh, respectively, with said driven and drive gears 15 and 16, thecasing I I being provided with suitable bearings 24-24 and 25-25 for theshafts 20-2I.

Said gear-casing is open at its bottom to permit the extension thereintoof the hub Ill and driven gear I5, and the circular base portion 26 ofsaid casing abuts the top surface of the head iii which is preferablyprovided with a metal bearing ring 21. The said casing is provided withsuitable openings 28 to permit lubrication of the shafts 23 and gears 22and is also provided with a cylindrical radial extension 29 adapted tosupport a horizontally-disposed section I2 of said suction pipe l2, saidextension 29 also being adapted to support v an inwardly extendinghandle-tube 39 to which is connected and mounted by straps 3l3i*- acleaning-liquidreservoir 32. The handle-pipe 30, as shown, is providedwith a cross-bar handle 30* and has for a part of its length mountedtherein an upwardly-extending section I2 of the suction pipe i2. Saidupwardly-extending section 12* is provided intermediate the ends of thetube 30 with a suitable connection member 33 to which is connected avacuum hose which extends to a portable vacuum tank 35 provided with asuitable cover 36. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the vacuum tank 35 iscomposed of metal and has mounted at its upper end and a cover 36 onwhich is mounted a conventional vacuum-producing elemeat 31' comprisinga motor 38 and fan 39 adapted to cause a suction inside the tank andthrough the hose 3t and suction pipe, connection 33 and suction pipesections I2 and Mi respectively, said section i2 being extended asaforesaid through the head and the inlet 12 of said pipe l2 beingpositioned closely adjacent to the surface to be cleaned and within thearea bounded by the perimetric portions of the squeegee member l3.

Parts of said squeegee member I3 are suitably positioned, flrst, tosurround and enclose cleaning material fed to the surface beneath thehead, and thereafter to guide the spent cleaning material to the axis ofthe head and to an area adjacent to the entrance i2 of the suction pipeor conduit i2, whereupon the suction means hereinabove described causesthe material to be sucked up and passed to the tank 35 which ispreferably provided with a suitably controlled air outlet The cover issuitably fastened by swingable bolts 38 mounted on the outer surface ofthe tank and having Wing nuts at their upper ends adapted to engage thcover 36.

A suitable quantity of cleaning fluid is supplied to the tank 32 andthis cleaning fluid is charged to the head through a circular channel 40which, as shown, is mounted on the head outside the casing II and, asillustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 7, the said channel is provided with aseries of vertical bores ii extending downwardl from such channels .3through the head to the bottom surface thereof. These bores are locatedadjacent to the perimeter to permit the material fed to such channels toreach the surface to be cleaned below the body portion ll of the headand within the area bounded by the squeegee l3 within which the brusheshi operate.

An important feature of my invention comprises the provision on thebottom surface of the head of a special squeegee element l3 which iscomposed of a circular perimetric portion [3 extending completely andcontinuously around the perimeter of the head and an inwardly-directedliquid-guiding portion l3 connected at its outer end to the perimetricportion, having turns and the brush l4, which is of similar spiralshape, is located within this area.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the brush it closelyconforms to the shape of said area and is formed in a substantiallyspiral curve, has portions reduced in width at opposaid axis of rotationmeans for feeding a liquid cleaning material within said arcuateperimetric portion, said arcuate squeegee portion being adapted toretain and prevent the escape outwardly of cleaning material fed to asurface to be cleaned below and within the area bounded by said arcuateportion, and said inwardly disposed spiral portion being adapted toguide and deflect cleaning material used on said surface to a collectionplace at the axis of said head beneath the bottom surface thereof, aremoval conduit at said axially-located collection place, and

' vacuum means for applying suction through such site ends and increasedin width at the middle section thereof. Said brush begins at a pointadjacent to the outer perimeter of the head and terminates at a pointadjacentto the axis thereof in substantially parallelism to theinwardlydirected squeegee portion, and preferably will leave at oppositeends relatively small bare sections free of the brush.

In the embodiment shown, the brushes M are mounted upon a brush back Mand this brush back is releasably mounted on spring-projected andflanged connectingmembers 42 which pass through apertures 43 in the headand have spiral springs 44 arranged in a housing cavity in the head andadapted to resiliently press the brushback outward and causing thebrush-bristles to contact with a rug or other surface to be scrubbed.

In the preferred form of my invention, connecting members have flangesat opposite ends and the brush back M of th brush is provided with keyinslots M into which the outer flange fits and which are closed in anysuitable manner to retain the brushes firmly in position on theconnecting members 42 to provide a resilient" mounting and a readilyreleasable connection of the brushes with the head.

In Figs. 1 to 6 of my invention, I have shown a squeegee of cylindricalcross-section which is preferably composed of a light metal, such asaluminum, and is particularly adapted for use in the shampooing of rugs.

In Fig. '7 I have illustrated in fragmentary section a squeegee [3*which is formed of flat leather or other similar tough material, and ismore especially adapted for cleaning flat surfaces composed of tile,concrete, wood or the like.

Having described my invention, I claim: v

1. A portable surface cleaning or shampooing' machine embodying, incombination, a mounting member, a head mounted to rotate in saidmounting member, a squeegee element mounted on the bottom surface ofsaid head and having rubbing contact with the surface to be cleaned,said squeegee element comprising a perimetric portion substantiallyencircling said head and; a single inwardly-disposed portion ofcontinuous, gradually winding spiral form extending outwardly in thedirection of rotation from a point adjacent to the axis of rotation ofthe head to a point of merger with the perimetric portion, saidgradually-winding portion of spiral form passing a plurality of timesacross a diametric line extending through said merger point and removalconduit to remove spent cleaning material at said axis.

2. A portable surface cleaning or shampooing machine embodying, incombination, a mounting member, a head mounted to rotate in saidmounting member, a squeegee element mounted on the bottom surface ofsaid head and having rubbing contact with the surface to be cleaned,

said squeegee element comprising a perimetric portion substantiallyencircling said head and a single inwardly-disposed portion ofcontinuous, gradually winding spiral form extending outwardly in thedirection of rotation from a point adjacent to the axis of rotation ofthe head to a point of merger with the perimetric portion, saidgradually-winding portion of spiral form passing a plurality of timesacross a diametric line extending through said merger point and saidaxis of rotation, means for feeding a liquid cleaning material withinsaid arcuate perimetric portion, said arcuate squeegee portion beingadapted to retain and prevent the escape outwardly of cleaning materialfed to a surface to be cleaned below and within the. area bounded bysaid arcuate portion, and said inwardly disposed spiral portion beingadapted to guide and deflect cleaning material used on said surface to acollection place at the axis of said head beneath the bottom surfacethereof, a brush of gradually-winding spiral conformation arranged onthe head within the area bounded by said inwardly-disposed portion ofsaid squeegee and also extending outwardly in the direction of rotationfrom a point adjacent to the axis of rotation of the head to theperimetric portion, a removal conduit at said axially-located collectionplace, and vacuum means for applyin suction through such removal conduitto remove spent cleaning material at said axis.

EDWARD BERBERIAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 928,456 Johnson July 20, 1909935,559 Spangler Sept. 28, 1909 1,211,945 Koster Jan. 9, 1917 1,498,255Winchester Nov. 6, 1928 1,808,656 Hartman June 2, 1931 2,039,903 HildMay 5, 1936 2,153,207 Petty Apr. 4, 1939 2,168,472 Vidal Aug. 8, 19392,217,617 Conway Oct. 8, 1940 2,239,183 Willard Apr, 22, 1941 2,250,177Boccasile July 22, 1941

